The sun was just about to reach its zenith, and the clock struck eleven when Sam found himself standing in front of a simple, unassuming house in a quiet neighborhood.
This was Riya's new home.
The address had been shared by the village head, Mr. Patel.
The house was far from the grandiose city buildings but had its own charm.
Sam hadn't seen Riya in a while, and he couldn't suppress the mix of excitement and nervousness that bubbled up inside him.
He found himself wondering how she'd react to his sudden visit. Brushing away these thoughts, he took a deep breath and reached out to press the doorbell.
The door swung open to reveal a middle-aged woman, Marie Oswald, her surprised expression morphing into a warm smile.
She was Riya's mother.
"Oh, who do we have here? Sam! How have you been, dear?" S
he seemed genuinely surprised to see him standing on her doorstep.
Her eyes widened in recognition, and a pleasant smile spread across her face.
"Hello, Auntie Marie," Sam greeted, matching her warm smile. "I'm doing well, thank you. I returned to the village just yesterday, and when I learned that you'd moved to Town B, I thought I'd pay a visit."
Auntie Marie's smile widened, her eyes shining with gratitude.
"Oh, you're such a sweet boy! It's been a long time. How are things with you? Have you finished your studies?"
She launched into a volley of questions like any caring auntie would.
Sam responded to each of her questions, his answers brief but genuine.
Once the initial flurry of inquiries subsided, he gently steered the conversation toward Riya. "How is Riya doing, Auntie?"
Auntie Marie's eyes sparkled as she spoke of her daughter.
"Riya? She's upstairs, probably lost in her paintings. You know how she is," she chuckled.
Suddenly, her eyes widened in realization.
"Oh dear, I left the stove on!" she exclaimed, her hands flying to her mouth.
Without further ado, Auntie Marie turned and scurried back towards the kitchen, but not before calling over her shoulder for Riya.
As her voice echoed through the house, Sam took a deep breath, bracing himself for the reunion with his old friend.
Riya descended the stairs in just a few moments, her face registering surprise as she recognized the familiar figure in their living room.
"Sam? Is that really you? When did you get here?" Her surprise quickly morphed into a radiant smile, and she rushed forward to give Sam a big, warm hug.
The two friends stood there, reminiscing about their shared past.
"How have you been, Sam?" Riya asked, her eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"I've been good, Riya. How about you? How's life been treating you?" Sam asked, his gaze steady on her.
For the next half-hour or so, the room echoed with laughter and shared memories as Riya and Sam delved into each other's lives.
Questions bounced back and forth between them like ping-pong balls.
"So, what have you been up to, Riya?" Sam inquired, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Well, after finishing college, I dove straight into the art world. I've been painting, attending exhibitions, and even held a few of my own!" Riya responded enthusiastically, her hands making large, animated gestures as she spoke.
Sam's genuine interest in her life seemed to fuel Riya's excitement.
"That's amazing, Riya! I've always admired your passion for art. It's really cool to see you pursue it full-heartedly," Sam complimented sincerely.
Their conversation flowed effortlessly, like a gently babbling brook.
Despite the time that had rolled by since their last meeting, their bond remained as strong as ever.
It felt as if they had been transported back to their childhood, a time when they spent countless hours chatting and laughing without a care in the world.
As the conversation progressed, Sam finally broached the topic of his business, his tone becoming more serious.
"You know, Riya, after we left the village, I started a business."
Riya's eyes widened in surprise, "A business? What kind of business?"
"It's a tech company," Sam said. "I named it Orion Enterprises."
He watched Riya's reaction closely as he unfolded the story of how he started Orion Enterprises from scratch a couple of months before, his vision for the company, and its current achievements.
Her eyes grew wider and wider as she listened, her astonishment visible on her face. "Orion Enterprises? Wait a minute . . . Isn't that the tech startup making headlines lately?" Riya asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Sam couldn't help but chuckle, nodding his head in confirmation.
He'd be lying if he didn't admit that he was starting to enjoy these moments of revelation, the surprise and astonishment that flashed across people's faces when they realized the scope of his accomplishment.
"Yeah, that's the one," he said, trying to keep his voice nonchalant, though he couldn't hide the proud smile that curled his lips. "I wanted to build something that could make a difference, and Orion is my attempt at that."
The room was silent for a moment as Riya processed this piece of news.
She looked at Sam, her eyes reflecting a mix of awe, surprise, and deep respect. "Sam, that's incredible! I had no idea you were doing something so amazing!"
Sam grinned at her, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over him.
He was pleased to share his journey with Riya, an old friend who had been a part of his life since their childhood.
He couldn't wait to see where this new chapter would lead them.
While Riya processed this newfound information, Sam broached the subject of a job opportunity at Orion Enterprises, the same one he had offered Jay.
As he mentioned Jay's name, he noticed a change in Riya's expression - not disdain, but a soft, yearning look hinting at unresolved feelings.
Riya pursued her passion and completed her degree in painting.
She was an artist through and through.
At first, she seemed hesitant. "A painter in a tech company? Do you think there's a place for me there?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
To this, Sam offered an assuring smile. "Riya, we will make a place for you if you want it. Your passion for painting can bring a new perspective to our team," he confidently declared.
A playful glint appeared in Sam's eyes as he added, "And maybe your presence might nudge Jay in the right direction, don't you think?"
His words were laced with a teasing tone, a shared secret about their friend Jay and his wavering decisions.
As Riya's face lit up at the mention of Jay again, Sam knew he had hit the bull's eye.
Her reaction was all the confirmation he needed - she was in. His plan was falling into place perfectly.
"Hey Riya, how's your dad doing?" Sam casually slipped the question into their conversation, subtly shifting the topic toward her family.
Riya's expression turned serious, "Dad opened a graphic design studio named 'RiyaStudios.'"
She chuckled at the mention of the name. It was an adorable old-school naming choice that had her father's touch all over it.
"But it's been tough recently," she added, the smile fading from her face.
"Oh?" Sam raised his eyebrows, his interest piqued. "What seems to be the problem?"
Riya hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her shirt. "Business is slow, and he's having trouble attracting clients," she confessed.
The earnest concern in her eyes moved Sam.
He had always admired Uncle Ronald, and it hurt to hear that his business was struggling.
"Maybe I could take a look," he offered, trying to sound as casual as possible. "Where is his studio?"
Riya handed Sam the address for her dad's studio, and as he took it, his brain started buzzing with thoughts.
He was already cooking up plans on how he might be able to lend a helping hand to Uncle Ronald.
This was his childhood friend's family; he couldn't just stand by and watch them struggle.
As Sam stood up, Riya and Auntie Marie looked at him, a little surprised.
"You're leaving already?" Auntie Marie asked, disappointment flickering across her face.
"Stay and have lunch with us, dear," she insisted, patting the vacant chair beside her.
Sam gave them an apologetic smile, "I wish I could, Auntie Marie, but I've got to run. There are a few more things I need to take care of today. But I promise I'll come around for a meal next time, okay?"
Both Riya and Auntie Marie seemed to understand.
They bid him goodbye, Riya with a bright smile and Auntie Marie with a warm hug.
"Riya, Auntie Marie," he began, turning back at the doorstep, "You guys should visit the village too, you know? I'll be around for a few more days. It'll be good to see some familiar faces."
A short walk later, Sam found himself standing outside RiyaStudios.
He took a moment to appreciate the simple yet tasteful signboard before entering.
The studio was bustling with creative energy, the air filled with the hum of working computers and the faint smell of printing ink.
But what caught his attention was a middle-aged man, engrossed in his work on a computer screen - Ronald Oswald.